Method and apparatus for molding doll heads



April 5, 1949. c. A. EVANS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOLDING DOLL HEADS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 15, 1946 April 5, 1949. V c. A. EVANS 2,456,536

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOLDING DOLL HEADS Filed March 15, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 5, l949 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOLDING DOLL HEADS Clarence Agustus Evans, Atlanta, Ga. Application March 15, 1946, Serial No. 654,703

This invention relates to a method and means for making doll heads from thermo-plastic resinous material.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved method of making doll. heads, which eliminates the use of an inner form, and provides a rapid method of making such heads.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method and means for making doll heads which includes initially forming the head as a blank envelope, inserting the envelope in a form or mold, and then subjecting the envelope to an interior fluid pressure in the form of air or the like, the form or mold being initially heated to a degree such that the inflated envelope will be deformed to the configuration of the interior of the mold.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method and means for making doll heads which includes inserting into a heated mold an envelope which is impregnated with suitable plastic material in an unpolymerized state, the envelope being preferably formed of fabric, such as gauze, paper or the like which is impregnated with resin of the thermo-setting or thermoplastic type and which will readily deform and set under interior pressure and heat.

With the foregoing objects in view, and others which may hereinafter more fully appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention, as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail edge view of an envelope constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a detail side elevation, partly broken away of the envelope.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3A is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view through the molded doll head.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I0 designates generally an envelope in blank form,

1 Claim. (Cl. 154-110) which is formed of opposed flat members embodying a substantially ovoidal body I I which is formed with a base flange I2 of substantial width. The body I I and the flange I2 are formed of an inner member I3 which is here shown as being a fabric impregnated with and embedded with a plastic body I4. The inner member I3 may be either a loose woven fabric, such as gauze or the like, or it may be formed of paper which is impregnated with and embedded within the plastic body I4.

.The body I4 may be an unpolymerized resin of either the thermo-setting type or'may be a thermo-plastic resin, and the body I4 may be formed of urea formaldehyde or phenol formaldehyde. In the event the envelope is made quite thin or of relatively weak material a reinforcing ply may be adhesively secured to the inner surface of the body II and the flange I2. This reinforcing ply designated I5 may be formed of cellophane, coated paper, metalfoil or the like. Where the reinforcing ply I5 is used, this ply may be slightly smaller in size than the body II and the flange I2, so that the two sides of the envelope may be firmly secured together and seal about the marginal edges thereof, as shown at I6. This sealing is done by means of heat, an adhesive or the like. The reinforcing ply I5 of one part of the envelope may be secured to the confronting ply by means of an adhesive I! or other securing means. The purpose of sealing the edges of the envelope parts is to provide an air-tight envelope which will readily inflate when placed under air pressure within the mold. Where the two portions forming the envelope will form an air-tight seal the procedure of sealing the edges thereof may be eliminated as the contacting portions of the envelope parts will amalgamate with each other during the molding under heat.

The lower end of the envelope between the ends of the flanges I2 is open, the purpose for which will be hereinafter described. The envelope I0 is disposed between a pair of mold members I8 and I9 which are formed with cavities 20 and ZI, respectively. The cavities 20 and 2| are shaped to the configuration of a head, and

include neck forming cavities 22 and 23, respectively. A ring or loop 24 is disposed about the mold members I8 and I9, and the mold members are held in clamped position with the marginal portions of the body members II disposed therebetween by means of a wedge.

The flanges I2 engage against the bottom of the mold members I8 and I9, and the flanges I2 are tightly clamped against the bottom of the mold members by means of a bottom clamping plate 26. A ring 21 engages loosely about the plate 26 and the mold sections l8 and I9, being disposed outside of the ring 24, and is held in clamping position by means of a wedge 21. The

' plate 26 has an air supply pipe 28 connected thereto which is disposed centrally of the plate, and is adapted to provide for the discharge of air into the interior of the mold. When the envelope is initiall-yldisposed between themold sec*;

tions l8 'and I9 the 'center of' th'ewnvelope 'at 10 move upwardly into the neck cavities 22 and 23, 15.

and will provide the extra material" necessary" to have the envelope conform :tosthmconfigugratiom: of the inside of the mold.

In the carrying out of the method hereinbefow described, and in the use of the apparatus, the

envelope which may be formed as herein' set; forthf is inserted between ithe' heated: mold sections I8 and 'l 9. These section's are heated' tozfrom 275 to 325 F." in order that .the he'atoi -the mold wilt efiectia melting of tne:.p1astic composition; 25

After the: envelope has' beeniplaced' underthe de sired or' nec'ess'ar y pressure to' efie'ctinflation thereof, the mold may betpermitt'edtocoolw If there is any undueadherenc'e' of the molded 'envelope'=which -is now iri tlie lformo a dollhead,

wax" or othersuitable coatirig may be used to coat-the-inner surface ofith'e moldt L If des'lred the'=i moldl may be 'use'd -1Ii the curin g'iprocess; or the molded head 1 may betremavemand: bur ed in an I 4 oven or the like. The surplus material is removed by cutting, grinding, buffing or other suitable means, after which the head is painted, tinted or otherwise treated.

What is claimed is:

The method of making doll heads which includes impregnating a pair of blank fibrous sheets with unpolymerized resin, sealing the marginal edge's ofe'the. sheets for the majpriportionz of the length thereofibending the unsealed portions of the sheets in opposite directions, clamping the secured together sheets in a mold which is heatedmto iawdegreeutosefiect pliability of the sheets withxthe mold clamping the sealed edges and the oppositely bentportions, and inflating the envelope'througlr'the unsecured portions thereof.

CLARENCE AGUSTUS EVANS.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferenbes are of record in the file of this" patent? UNITED STATES PATENTS,

Number Name- Date 7623063 Kepler- June '7, '1904' 1 ,052;081-" Mil-tire! Feb. 4,:1913 1,310,437 Roberts- July'22,:-1919 2 1,310;439' Roberts- July 22,"1919 1-,404g320 Robertset als' Jan. 24519221: 1,442,900 OConnon; Jan-23,1923! 1372391 2 Dreyfus Aug, 23, 1932:" 1.;888i702 Snydera Nov'.'-22;1932w 1,920,961 J Ariderson e n nusur Aug-r8; 1933- 

